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Beneficiaries of Thai Red Cross relief kits in Phatum Thani Province. Photo credit: Thai Red Cross

Information bulletin n° 1 17 October 2013

This bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the current situation and details presently available. The Thai Red Cross is not seeking international assistance at this time.

Summary: Since late July 2013, Thailand has been facing sporadic flooding, mainly in the north and north-eastern provinces. From late September, seasonal rainfall was further exacerbated by the combined impact of several tropical storms resulting in climatic depressions over Thailand that led to heavy rainfall in many provinces throughout the country. By early October, a total of 45 provinces were affected by floods, out of which 25 provinces are severely affected. The reported death toll from these floods has risen to 61 people, and more than 3.5 million are affected. To date, the Thai Red Cross has been active in 22 flood-affected provinces. So far, the National Society has provided 64,000 families with relief assistance which comprises family kits, drinking water, hot meals, search-and-rescue services, and medical assistance.

<click to view the map of the affected areas, or for contact information>

The situation With death toll reaching 61 since 17 September, flooding continues to affect many provinces in Thailand with those most affected in the northeast and central parts of the country. Impact from Tropical Storm Nari could further exacerbate the risk for some 3.5 million Thai residents who have been affected so far by extensive flooding. Authorities have also stepped up efforts to slow the flow of floodwaters towards the capital city, Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river delta, where most of the nation’s rivers and rainfall collect.

According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, 4,377 villages are flooded in 88 districts of 21 provinces, affecting some 275,765 families for a total of over 800,000 people.

The situation has slightly improved in 17 provinces, mainly in the north including Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lampang and Chumphon. However, further heavy rainfall is expected.

In Prachinburi and Chachengsao located in central Thailand, the flood situation is still very critical, despite water levels dropping about 10 cm per day

Information bulletin Thailand: Floods

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Prachin Buri province in central Thailand is among the provinces worst affected by this year’s flood.

Photo: Thai Red Cross

Prachinburi province has now been struggling with floods for more than a month with many local villages marooned amid high floodwaters. This has also affected neighbouring seaside province, Chaechoengsao with run-off floodwater from Prachinburi. Through this area, the main channel of the Bang Pakong river empties into the sea, but presently, high tides have proven a major obstacle to drainage operations. However, while water has reached relatively high levels in this channel, Thai authorities are confident that floodwaters from the Chachoengsao province will not affect Bangkok. In Sakaeo province, most of areas remain flooded, despite the flood situation slowly improving. The Ministry of Health deployed mobile medical service teams to several areas, reaching about 300,000 households over the past 26 days. About 90,000 people have been treated, mostly for athlete's foot, as well as respiratory infections and other minor injuries. The medical teams also gave psychological counselling to people affected by the deluge. It is forecast that from 16-22 October, the remnants of Tropical Storm Nari will continue to bring heavy rain over the lower northeast, lower north, east and central provinces of the country, including the Bangkok metropolitan area and its surroundings.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action Thai Red Cross has been providing assistance to the most affected people since late July, working in close collaboration with provincial and national authorities (Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation – DDPM). At least 250,000 people have been reached in 22 affected provinces through the provision of family kits, cooked meals, clean water supply, basic health, and search and rescue services. By early October, Thai Red Cross had deployed its mobile kitchen unit to Prachinburi province and mobile medical teams, mobile purification Units (DOW), water and sanitation unit, flat bottom boats and inflatable boats to most affected provinces, to ensure basic assistance was provided to those affected, especially people marooned by flood waters. Working in close collaboration with provincial DDPM/local authorities, Red Cross teams have also been involved in evacuating people to safety.

Location (Province)

No. of distributions

Beneficiary Families

Phang Nga 5 3,550

Sakon Nakhon 1 1,000

Chanthaburi 4 4,760

Prachuap Khiri Khan 7 2,335

Tak 2 1,100

Chiang Rai 1 1,000

Sisaket 1 1,000

Surin 3 4,000

Sa Kaeo 4 4,720

Ubon Ratchathani 18 9,240

Ang Thong 1 600

Nakorn Nayok 1 2,000

Chacheungsao 2 4,000

Chainat 1 1,200

Ayutthaya 4 6,000

Prachin Buri 6 10,620

Phichit 1 1,500

Phitsanulok 1 500

Pathum Thani 3 2,200

Phetchaburi 1 100

Nakhon Ratchasima 2 2,100

Nakhon Sawan 1 475

Total 89 64,000

Total distributed kits valued at THB 64 mil (appx. CHF 2 mil)

Distribution of Family Kits

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The secretary general of Thai Red Cross, together with staff and volunteers, distributes family kits to those most affected by these

floods in Chacheungsao Province. Photo credit: Thai Red Cross

Contents of the Family kit

Thai Red Cross is not seeking international assistance at this time; currently, there are no plans for either a disaster relief emergency fund (DREF) allocation or an emergency appeal. The National Society has utilized contributions from the Japanese Red Cross Society that supported procurement of

20,000 family kits for their buffer stocks as part of the Floods 2011 post-emergency operation to support their relief efforts thus far. IFRC coordinates regularly with the UN Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and Thai Red Cross closely monitors the flood situation and response. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement support in the relief operation thus far includes support when requested and joint field visits to affected areas.

Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

Thai Red Cross Society: Mr. Pan Wanametee, Secretary-General, phone; +662 256 4037, email: intertrc@redcross.org.th

IFRC Southeast Asia regional office, Bangkok: o Anne E. LeClerc, Head of Regional Office, phone: +668 5661 7464, email:

anne.leclerc@ifrc.org o Indira Kulenovic, Head of Community Safety and Resilience Unit, phone: +668 1846 7927,

email: indira.kulenovic@ifrc.org IFRC Asia Pacific zone office, Kuala Lumpur:

o Al Panico, Head of Operations, phone: +603 9207 5700, email: al.panico@ifrc.org

o Andreas Weissenberg, Operations coordinator: phone: +60122307895, email: andreas.weissenberg@ifrc.org

Description No. Item count

Rice (5 kgs) 1 bag

Canned Rice (150 gms) 6 cans

Instant Noodles (55 gms) 30 pcs

Fish in Tomato Sauce (155 gms) 6 cans

Pickled Vegetable (140 gms) 6 cans

Fish in Chilli Sauce (155 gms) 6 cans

Chilli Paste (50 gms) 2 pcs

Egg in soya source 2 cans

Instant Beverage (35 gms)*6 pcs 2 packs

Drinking Water 1.5 ltr x 6 bottles 1 packs

Iodine Salt (450 gms) 1 bag

Torch with Battery 1 pc

Candle 2 Pcs 1 pack

Lighter 1 pc

Insect Repellent (40 gms) 1 btt

Household Medicine 1 bag

Anti-Athlete’s Foot Cream (30 gm) 1 tube

Garbage Bag (large) 6 pcs

Garbage Bag (small) 6 pcs

Hygiene Kit 1 kit

TRC Charity Relief Kit 1 bag

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How we work

All IFRC assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

IFRC’s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

IFRC’s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims: 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.

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Chiang Mai

Nakhon Ratchasima

Kamphaeng Phet

Nan

Roi Et

Sukhothai

Chon Buri

Yasothon

Saraburi

Phangnga

Nakhon Phanom

Nakhon NayokPrachin Buri

SurinBuri Ram

PhetchabunChaiyaphum

Si Sa Ket

Phitsanulok

Ubon Ratchathani

Sa Kaeo

Lop BuriI

Nakhon Sawan

Phichit

Suphan Buri

Chachoengsao

Prachuap Khiri Khan

Chai Nat

Phranakhonsi Ayutthaya

Ang Thong

ThailandThailand

VietnamVietnamCambodiaCambodia

Lao PDRLao PDR

ChinaChina

MyanmarMyanmar

The maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or National Societies concerning the legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Map data sources:ESRI, DEVINFO, GRUMP. International Federation. thaiflood. THfl171013.mxd - Map produced by PMER/KUL.

Thailand: Floods

Information Bulletin n. 117 October 2013

ISeverely affectedCritically affectedAffectedUnder restoration

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